Gallery: In pictures: Arctic exploration tech

This polycarbonate tube contains the electronics, such as an Iridium modem and a basic Linux OS, that allow images to be sent via satellite. The display presents data on battery health, plus external and internal temperatures -- the latter being important because the modem cannot operate below -20°C, and the SD/CF card reader below 0°C.

Minos CTD Profiler

The team uses two conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) probes. The first, the Minos CTD (above), records to depths of at least 300m, returning temperature measurements (accurate to 0.005°C) and conductivity measurements (accurate to 0.01mS/ cm) to evaluate the salinity of the water.

Surface-Penetrating Radar

This portable, ground-penetrating radar gathers high resolution profiles of the ice, taken at 15cm intervals. Mounted behind the sledge, a cable link-up passes the gathered data to the sledge’s onboard computers, where the raw data is compressed and sent to the operations team via satellite.

Niskin Sampling Bottle

A simple mechanical device to gather water samples. Both ends are open, allowing water to flow through until the bottle reaches the depth for sampling. A spring release triggers plugs at either end to snap shut and trap the sample inside. The team must ensure it is kept in motion to prevent the water from freezing.

Solara Field Tracker 2100

A GPS tracking device, the Field Tracker also allows for two-way emergency text messaging anywhere on Earth, using the Iridium satellite network (the only one that fully covers both polar regions). It automatically reports the team’s GPS position, enabling real-time remote mapping of the route via Google Maps.

Manual Mora Ice Drill

This stainless-steel drill is used to bore the ice to measure its thickness, and to access seawater in order to deploy sensors and water-sampling equipment.

Manual Mora Ice Drill

This stainless-steel drill is used to bore the ice to measure its thickness, and to access seawater in order to deploy sensors and watersampling equipment.

Niskin Sampling Bottle

A simple mechanical device to gather water samples. Both ends are open, allowing water to flow through until the bottle reaches the depth for sampling. A spring release triggers plugs at either end to snap shut and trap the sample inside. The team must ensure it is kept in motion to prevent the water from freezing.

YSI Castaway Profiler

he YSI CastAway is the second CTD probe the team uses. It is a handheld device used for rapid analysis of shallower depths (down to 100m), and makes use of Bluetooth capability and built-in GPS. Less accurate and sensitive than the Minos CTD, it is, however, moreeasily transportable.

Sledge

The team’s sledge has a carbon and Kevlar body, making it hard-wearing and strong, but still light enough to be pulled by one person. A polyurethane-coated nylon float attached to the sledge’s underside ensures it is fully amphibious and able to cope with water crossings. Fully loaded, the sledge weighs up to 120kg.